In a communications system, transmitter power gain can be changed between symbols. A power gain change of a first part of a transmit chain is initiated a first time, whereas a power gain change of a second part of the transmit chain is initiated at a second time, such that the resulting power gain changes of the first and second parts both occur substantially within an inter-symbol time in a desired relationship to one another. In one example, the power gain change of the first part is initiated before the beginning of the inter-symbol time to account for expected serial bus latency between initiation and execution of the power gain change of the first part. The power gain change of the second part is initiated during the inter-symbol time such that overall power does not exceed an amount (for example, a maximum permitted under a communication standard).